Dr. Ira Camhi, dressed in a gorilla suit, was joined by his staff on Halloween for a festive day at his Katan Avenue-based dental office. From the left, are Dr. Besa Marisenoj; Dr. Camhi; Barbara Camhi; Teasha Clifford; Candy Celano; Erin Walsh, and Alice Albergo.
(Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - ELTINGVILLE - Mr. Tooth D. Kay was available for all to see in hiscoffin this past Monday.

His gravestone, a grim warning to pedestrians wandering by the intersection of Katan and Richmond avenues, read "Too much candy got in his teeth, forgot to brush, he lies beneath."

By around 3:30 p.m., Dr. Ira Camhi and his staff, including his wife, Barbara, all dressed for Halloween, gathered around the outdoor decoration for photographs.

Dr. Camhi, sporting a gorilla suit, was celebrating the holiday with his staff and patients for the first time in a decade.

His Eltingville office was also decorated for the occasion. All day long, staff members facepainted youngsters, offered candy, and handed them – of course – free toothpaste.

"It's something for the community," said Dr. Camhi, who has practiced dentistry for over 41 years, most of them from his Katan office.

"We haven't done it in a while. A young lady came by before and said she's coming with her kids. She also said she used to come by when she was a child," said Dr. Camhi, moments before he performed one of his famed magic tricks using three orange balls.

Dr. Camhi, who doubles as an amateur magician, said he and his staff enjoy catering to their patients. "It's a way of entertaining. The kids like it. And we like it," the dentist explained, noting that the entire staff dresses up, making it a team event.

In years past, the office decorated its lawn with a guillotine, Godzilla figure and other gravestones. While this year's outside display was tamer, Dr. Camhi's celebration was as festive as can be.

"It's a great memory," said Louise Auletti, dressed as the popular "Popeye" character, Olive Oyl. Mrs. Auletti came with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

The family has been visiting Dr. Camhi's office for more than a decade, she said. "Dr. Camhi has always done such a beautiful job. And his staff is terrific. They're really a nice bunch of people," she explained. "And for people like me, we're kids at heart."